Detention screen suspension



Feb. 28, 1950 M. SEIDE DETENTION SCREEN SUSPENSION Filed Dec. 31, 1945INVENTOR. Max Selde By 4445/ ATTORNEYJ Patented Feb. 28, 1950 DETENTIONSCREEN SUSPENSION Max Seide, Detroit, Mich, assign'or'toChamberlinCompany ofAmerica, Detroit, Mich.,a corporation of Michigan ApplicationDecember 31, 1945, Serial No. 638,537

7 Claims. (01. 160--378) The invention relates generally to screens forwindow or door openings, and more particularly to mounting or supportingmeans for strong and heavy detention screens such as are used inhospitals, psychiatric institutions, or places of detention.

It is quite desirable that screens of this character be of 'sufii'cientstrength to withstand severe shocks without failure, so as to preventinmates or patients from accidentally falling therethrough, or even fromintentionally hurling themselves against or through the screen to effectan exit. It is further desirable that a detention screen be of suchstrength, and be mounted or suspended in such manner, that the patientis unable to rupture or break the screen panel by subjecting it to blowsfrom any portable object in the room.

It is greatlyto be desired that the screen alone be the only object inthe window opening, other than 'a'normalglazed window sash, there-byavoiding all indications of restraining means such as bars, so thatmental patients are not disturbed b evidences of confinement.

The inherent physical strength of th screen panel is of course animportant factor in its resistance to impacts of thecharacter*mention'etl above. It has been heretofore determined that suchinherent strength and impact resistance are greatly augmented byprovidinga floating but resilient attaching and supporting means. Theyie'ldable mounting thus provided serves to absorb and cushion suddenand severes'hoc'ks out tea-ringof the screen panel.

An object of the present invention is'to provide novel and improvedsuspension means for a screen panel whereby shocks receivedby the panelare cushioned more evenly, and consequently are absorbed moreefficiently, than "by other means heretofore known or available.

' A further object of the present inventionis to provide screen panelsuspension means as characterized in the last preceding paragraph, whichmeans is inherentlysimple and easy to makeup and assemble, therebygreatly reducing the total cost of fabrication and installation ofthe-screen.

These and other obj ects and features of themvention are hereafter morefully described and claimed, and the preferred character of constructionof a screen embodying my invention is shown in the accompanying drawingsin which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation, partially broken away to exposeinterior parts;

Fig. 2 is :a sectional view taken on "the line 2-2 of Fig. 1';

3 is a sectional detail view of a 'portionpf 2 a screen supportingelement such as shown in Figs. 1 and 2';

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig.1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the embodiment of theinvention shown in Figs. 1 t0 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3, but showing a slightlymodified form thereof;

Fig. 7 is a detail view of another embodiment of my invention.

My invention as herein disclosed is embodied in a screen which isusually rectangular, and which may be used in openings for windows,doors, transoms, skylights, or other such openings. The illustrationsherein shown disclose a fragmentary portion of a screen suited for usein a rectangular window, the structure of a complete screen and itssuspension means being obvious from an examination of the portions il-'lustrated.

Referring now to the drawings, a screen panel I0 is suspended in astrong and sturdy frame I I. The screen panel may be manufactured fromsuitably heavy wire mesh having openings small enough to excludeinsects. The wire may be of strong material such as stainless steel orother metal or alloy of sufficient strength and ductility. In any event,the wire should b strong enough so that it cannot be broken by ordinarytools which might come into the possession of a patient, or cannot beseriously injured by impact by heavy objects such as chairs.

The frame H may be permanently or removably fixed to a window frame, orto a corresponding element in any opening other than a window. For thepurpose of this disclosure the frame H maybe considered as fixed inposition, although it will be apparent that it may be hinged orotherwise arranged to be conveniently movable or removable.

In the embodiment here shown, the frame II is built up from a channeledbody I 2, a bottom cover plate I3 and a top cover plate I4. The body "l2Cover plates 13 and 14 extend inwardly beyond the flanges of channel l2,and are then bent towards each other at l9, and finally bent reverselyat 28, the described construction providing a peripherally extendingchamber 2l which houses the resilient screen suspension.

I have provided novel and improved resilient suspension means forattaching the screen panel I to the frame II. The peripheral edge of thescreen panel Ill extends inwardly through the slot 22 in the frame (Fig.2). Distributed at suitable intervals around frame II, and withinchamber 2|, are a plurality of spaced elements 25, here shown assemi-cylindrical bars attached to frame H by any suitable adjustablemeans. As here shown each bar is suspended from the base of the channell2 by means of a capped screw 26, the shank of which passes, withclearance, through an aperture in base l5 and has a threaded engagementwith bar 25. A plural turn spring wire helix 28 is threaded throughpanel l0 and is carried by bar in the manner shown in the drawings. Theturns of the helix are close enough to each other so that theypreferably pass through adjoining or nearby apertures in the screen, andin one embodiment adjoining turns pass through alternate screen openingsas best seen in Fig. 4. The edge of the screen may be rolled around arod or strip to provide a reinforcing bead, but as here shown the edgeis merely folded upon itself once or twice, as designated by referencenumeral 30, since this has been found to afford a quite adequate backingfor the turns of the helix.

The hemispherical shape of the bar 25 results in several advantages. Theoutturned convex surface may be predetermined to closely conform to thecurvature of the wire helix. The inward half 28a of the helix (Fig. 3)is then free to flex when a strain is applied to the screen.

In Fig. 6 there is shown a supporting bar M of a sectional contour suchthat its radius of curvature is less than that of the spring helix, thusaffording a greater leeway for fiexure of each helix turn, if necessaryor desirable.

The installation and operation of the screen structure is now obviousfrom the drawings, and the description already given. A plurality ofspaced spring wire helices are threaded in a series along each edge ofthe screen panel. The upper cover plate l4 being removed, the panel islaid on frame H. A bar 25 is inserted within each helix and the shank ofan attaching cap screw is inserted through base l5 of channel l2, and isthreaded into the bar 25. The plurality of cap screws around the frameare then turned up to suitably space the panel with respect to theframe, and to apply proper tension to the panel. The tip end of thescrew shank passes between turns of the helix.

Fig. 7 illustrates an embodiment of the invention in which each bar 25is attached to the frame H by two spaced, adjustable capped screws.

The type of suspension herein illustrated and described is adequatelyresilient, and applied shocks are transmitted to each screw 26 at aplurality of points, each represented by a turn of the helix. The effectis also further localized by the interruptions between the severalspring helices, so as to permit proportional yielding according to thedistance from the point of application of shock, and thereby to preventinjury to the screen panel.

It will be obvious from a consideration of the structure hereinabovedescribed, and disclosed in the drawings, that the screen mountingelements can be fabricated very cheaply as compared with resilientmountings of the type heretofore known and used. Assembly of the springsuspension can be performed easily and rapidly. Tests of this newsuspension have demonstrated that it will withstand shocks of greatseverity without rupture or damage to the screen panel.

While the panel suspension described herein has been characterized asparticularly suited to use with detention screens, the screen mounting Ihave invented may be used for flexible panels of other types than thosemade of screen wire, for example canvas, textiles, or transparent ortranslucent sheets of varied character.

What I claim is:

1. Screen supporting means of the character described, comprising arigid frame, a screen panel disposed within said frame, and yieldablepanel suspension means for retaining said screen in said frame, saidsupporting means including a plurality of holding devices attached tosaid frame in the plane of said panel and adjustable towards or from thepanel center, and distributed at intervals along each side of saidframe, and adjacent the peripheral edge of said panel, and helical wirespring means having each turn thereof threaded through said panel withthe helical axis extending longitudinally along said peripheral edge,and each said turn likewise extending around the holding device adjacentthereto.

2. Screen supporting means of the character described, comprising arigid frame, a screen panel disposed within said frame, and yieldablepanel suspension means for retaining said screen in said frame, saidsupporting means including a plurality of holding devices attached tosaid frame in the plane of said panel and adjustable towards or from thepanel center, and distributed at intervals along each side of saidframe, and adjacent the peripheral edge of said panel, and helical wirespring means having each turn thereof threaded through said panel withthe helical axis extending longitudinally along said peripheral edge,and each said turn likewise extending around the holding device adjacentthereto, each said holding device consisting of a relatively short barlying parallel to said frame in the plane of said panel.

3. Detention screen supporting means of the character describedcomprising a rigid frame, a screen panel disposed within said frame, andyieldable panel suspension means for retaining said screen in saidframe, said supporting means including a plurality of holding devicesattached to said frame in the plane of said panel and adjustable towardsor from the panel center, and distributed at intervals along each sideof said frame, and adjacent the peripheral edge of said panel, andhelical wire spring means having each turn thereof threaded through saidpanel with the helical axis extending longitudinally along saidperipheral edge, and each said turn likewise extending around theholding device adjacent thereto, each said holding device consisting ofa relatively short bar lying parallel to said frame in the plane of saidpanel, said bar being of semi-cylindrical contour and having the curvedspringsupporting-portion of its surface outturned towards said frame.

4. Detention screen supporting means of the character describedcomprising a rigid frame, a screen panel disposed within said frame, andyieldable panel suspension means for retaining frame in the plane ofsaid panel, said bar being of semi-cylindrical contour and having thecurved spring-supporting portion of its surface outturned towards saidframe, the radius of curvature of said curved portion approximating theradius of curvature of said helical spring.

*5. Detention screen supporting means of the character describedcomprising a rigid frame, a screen panel disposed within said frame, andyieldable panel suspension means for retaining said screen in saidframe, said supporting means including a plurality of holding devicesadjustably attached to said frame, and distributed at intervals alongeach side of said frame, and adjacent the peripheral edge of said panel,and helical wire spring means having each turn thereof threaded throughsaid panel and longitudinally along said peripheral edge, and each saidturn likewise extending around the holding device adjacent thereto, eachsaid holding device consisting of a relatively short bar lying parallelto said frame in the plane of said panel, said bar being ofsemicylindrical contour and having the curved springsupporting portionof its surface outturned towards said frame, the radius of curvature ofsaid curved portion being less than the radius of curvature of saidspring.

6. A screen of the character described comprising a rigid frame havingopposed spaced cover plates and a connecting cross wall attached to saidplates and transversely bridging the space therebetween, so as to forman inner peripherally extending chamber, said plates along their inneredges being spaced apart to form an inwardly facing slot opening intosaid chamber, a screen panel mounted in the opening of said frame withits peripheral edge lying within said chamber, yieldable mounting meansfor said panel comprising a plurality of holding devices adjustablyattached to said cross wall and distributed at intervals around saidframe and within said chamber adjacent said peripheral edge of saidpanel, and

6 c a plurality of helical wire springs each having the turns thereofextending around a single hold- "ing device, and each said turn beingthreaded through said screen panel adjacent said peripheral edge.

7. Ascreen of the character described comprising a rigid frame havingopposed spaced cover plates and a connecting cross wall attached to saidplates and transversely bridging the space therebetween, so as to forman inner peripherally extendin"g;chamber, said plates along their inneredges being spaced apart to form an inwardly facinglslot'opening intosaid chamber, a screen panel mounted in the opening of said frame withits peripheral edge lying within' said chamber, ,yieldabl'e' mountingmeans for said panel comprising a plurality of holding devicesadjustably attached to said cross wall and distributed at intervalsaround said. frame and within said chamber adjacent said peripheral edgeof said panel, and a plurality of helical wire springs each having: the.turns thereof extending around a respectiveholding device, and each saidturn being threaded through said screen panel adjacent said peripheraledge, each said holding device consisting, of a relatively short bar ofsemi-cylindrical contour, and having the curved portion of its surface'outturned towards said; frame, the radius of curvature of said curvedportion being substantially identical with the radius of curvature ofsaid spring.

, MAX SEIDE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

" UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 207,462 Valley Aug. 27, 1878257,543 Boda May 9, 1882 478,506 Emerson July 5, 1892 534,817 Cross Feb.26, 1895 1,461,441 Davis July 10, 1923 1,745,661 Dittrich Feb. 4, 19302,197,489 Trulock Apr. 16, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date6,280 Great Britain of 1899 107,100 Australia 1939 298,328 Italy 1932

